By voting for comrade Ramiz, we vote for democracy History has always had a need—and therefore, at particular times, has brought forth—people: leaders, popular tribunes toward whom all the political forces and social strata that make up a people or a nation have converged. They are like the Pole Star, a point of orientation and reference for everyone. The absence of such a personality would cause, as it has often caused in history, if not catastrophe, then fragmentation and division, which would set the people and history back rather than move them forward. Albanian history is rich in both respects, and precisely thanks to this experience, we must not let this historic opportunity slip from our hands. It is a great fortune for the people and the nation that, at this difficult moment of transition, Albania has such a worthy personality in the figure of comrade Ramiz Alia. Like all great personalities, comrade Ramiz Alia is exceedingly difficult to confine within party boundaries, just as it is difficult to separate him from the Party of Labour, which he represents as a candidate for deputy to the Albanian Assembly. But this is precisely where his extraordinary merit lies. He is so great and humane in spirit that he loves and respects everyone. And it seems that this quality will shape much of our future. It is not easy to remain untainted and broad-minded at the same time in these turbulent times in which we live. It is not easy to remain in history when history and time are so stormy. In periods of transition, many things collapse; few remain. Ramiz Alia, people say everywhere in Albania, has already entered history and is part of our inner being. This is what ordinary people and the greatest figures of our time say; this is what Albanians inside and outside the Homeland say. (Continued on page 2) Twenty people, at meetings with their future representatives, spoke less about one another’s qualities than about the common good, about the major issues of tomorrow. And these need as much explanation and clarification as

- TEPELENË - Medin Duraj, director of the coal mine in Memaliaj, was also a deputy in the People’s Assembly during the previous legislature. This time, the Party of Labour has put forward his candidacy in electoral zone No. 202, which includes the mountainous district of Buzi. “This time,” he says, “voters also feel a greater responsibility for what they express in their discussions. Even in the simplest discussion, it is not difficult to read the deep concerns of a person who loves the Party of Labour, the homeland and its prosperity with all his heart. This time, people’s meetings are especially focused on these interests. For example, a villager who until yesterday would spend two hours discussing a water channel now offers his views and supports preserving the cooperative system, as well as solidarity and the candidates’ pledge of their word.” “From voters who have so far met with other candidates for deputy, collectively or individually,” says Jorgo Zhonga, editor-in-chief of the newspaper «Lajmëtari», “we have received dozens of letters in which people, so to speak, want to cast their votes ahead of time: ‘All the voters of our village will vote for the PPSH,’ one letter says; ‘The residents of the Lopës area who live in the town of Memaliaj will vote for their son Failk Çinaj,’ says another. ‘We gave our pledge to the Party of Labour long ago, so others are hoping in vain,’ the voters of Hormovë village told their candidate for deputy unanimously... At present, more than 70 per cent of the district’s voters have met with PPSH candidates in Tepelenë, so the examples mentioned are only a few brief excerpts from these meetings. [?] to read the great with all his heart, and its prosperity too. The people’s meetings are of particular interest this time. The villager who, for example, pours out his knowledge, growing up by discussing a water channel for two hours, today offers his opinion and supports you in preserving the cooperative system as the most effective form of organizing agriculture. Muhamet Fejzo was among the first chairmen in Dukaj, at a time when the village was a cooperative of its own. Yesterday he and his fellow villagers met with the parliamentary candidate in their constituency, 04.

- KUKËS -

Yesterday, Chairman of the Council of Ministers Fatos Nano met and held a cordial conversation with officials and specialists of the Lushnjë district. He focused on clarifying various issues related to the economic reform prepared by the government, as well as matters concerning the country’s economic and political situation and international relations. Explaining the new social and political situation created after political pluralism was permitted, he stressed that, unfortunately, an unacceptable number of people are moving away from productive activities. “We see this in your district too,” he said. “By devoting themselves mainly to politics and the electoral struggle in this situation, which is entirely new for us, people’s attention has been drawn away from work.” The Lushnjë district, he said, is an agricultural district with more than 140,000 inhabitants, but we must not forget that its agricultural production structure was planned to provide food for at least one million people. The state has made substantial investments for this purpose. We regret to note that normal agricultural production is at risk. Under these circumstances, the Prime Minister pointed out, it is essential that we wisely return to solving production problems. The government is open to discussing this matter rationally, from a specialist’s perspective, with representatives of all the different parties. It has made a serious effort to get people back to work and put an end to the disruption that is so harmful to production. To this end, the reform it has launched provides for the concrete transition of our country. Here and there, he said, there are also calls and rash actions aimed at disrupting the existing relations between the individual, the collective and agriculture in this sector. This would be very harmful if done in an adventurous, unstudied manner. We support developing various comprehensive forms that make the farmer the owner of the produce. We must bear in mind, he stressed, that agricultural crops are mainly being planted now. All state bodies and all political and social forces and organizations must commit themselves to ensuring, at all costs, the normal progress of this production. Naturally, as is well known, the government has taken measures to purchase essential goods in order to ensure food for the population; these are gradually arriving. The unfortunate events at several ports in our country disrupted the normal arrival of these supplies. Nevertheless, bringing the public-order situation in those regions under control has made it possible to normalize the import of food products. Naturally, the Prime Minister stressed, foreign aid or the purchase of food in other countries cannot be the main solution to the acute problems of supplying the population with the everyday products needed in the market. The basis for any positive change in this regard remains the commitment of all workers to their jobs. In response to the many questions put to him by the audience, comrade Fatos Nano spoke

- BERAT - Meetings between PPSH candidates for deputy to the People’s Assembly and voters began several days ago in the Berat district as well. Voters have now formed a new picture of the election campaign and of the candidates in particular. They are no longer looking only at how capable the individual is, but at what program he represents and how capable he is of defending and implementing it. Thus, in zone 12, a meeting between voters from the villages of Bilçë, Dronovik, Malinat, etc., and their candidate Xhemal Dauti, secretary of the district People’s Council Executive Committee, took place in a spirit of debate and discussion. Speaking about the PPSH program, these voters praised its moderation, its reliance on realistic possibilities and its credibility. At the same time, they asked questions, mainly seeking clarification on the land issue and the future of the state agricultural farms (NBs), since most of the workers in this area are employed by the «Thoma Bello» NB. Many spoke out against dismantling the cooperatives, selling or leasing the land, or returning it to the former owners, etc. As for the NBs, the voters’ view was that they should be preserved, while improving their management, organization, planning, services, etc. At meetings in these divisions of the zone, they also asked other questions about the PPSH electoral program, to which the candidate for deputy, Xhemal Dauti, provided the necessary explanations. …plots of land should not be seen or rented out, should not be returned to their former owners, etc. As for the NB enterprises, voters’ opinion was that their existence etc. At meetings in these constituencies in this area, other questions were also raised about the PPSH electoral program, and parliamentary candidate Xhemal Dauti provided the necessary clarifications.

The Chairman of the Central Election Commission for the People’s Assembly, Professor Doctor Rexhep Mejdani, received the UN group of experts on the organization of elections. He informed the group of experts about the work carried out by the relevant bodies of the election commissions at polling stations, in the districts, and by the Central Commission, concerning implementation of the requirements of the law on elections to the People’s Assembly. The group of experts was also briefed on the electoral law, the election documentation, the instructions issued by the Central Election Commission, the decisions it had taken, etc. The UN group of experts is providing concrete assistance through constructive suggestions to ensure that the free and pluralist elections of March 31 are conducted in accordance with the law. (ATSH)

Yesterday morning, Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani received the Vatican’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kladio Çeli. After welcoming him, Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani briefed him on the profound reforms being undertaken in our country in the political, economic, and social fields. Speaking about human rights issues, he stressed that Albanians enjoy the right to religious belief and the freedom to practise it. Albania, he pointed out (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday, talks were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Deputy Minister Sokrat Plaka, and the delegation of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Deputy Minister Imre Szokonj. During the talks, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the two sides exchanged views on the further development of bilateral relations in the political, economic, and cultural fields. They also exchanged views on several international issues of mutual interest, especially the situation in the Balkans, the process of European security and cooperation, and regional cooperation, including in the Balkans, the Pentagonale, etc. Hungary’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to our country, Ferenc Poka, also took part in the talks. (ATSH)

Yesterday, a meeting was held in the hall of the cultural center of the “8 Nëntori” state agricultural enterprise in Sukth, with workers and specialists from state agricultural enterprises and cooperatives in the Shijak area, to examine the issues of economic reform in agriculture. At the meeting, the Chairman of the State Control Commission, docent Zydi Pepa, and docent Nexhmedin Dumani spoke about the special place occupied by agricultural issues in economic reform. It was emphasized that economic reform in agriculture aims, through the replacement of metho- (Continued on page 2)

— From a statement by the National Union Party. — “Our party,” the statement begins, “is an independent political organization, open to all those who [value?] freedom of thought, conscience, belief, and convictions that are subject to Albanianism as the ideological basis of national unity.” “Our nation,” the statement continues, “is experiencing rapid democratic developments. We support moving forward at the pace of the times and in accordance with the logic of democratic processes, to ensure success. Democracy in our country has become functional. Now we want it to become fruitful. We are facing a historic opportunity.” (Continued on page 3)

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, and on the occasion of the meeting at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, the Press Center was presented. Representatives of our organizations and press were invited here, as well as various representatives of our press, radio and television, foreign media, and foreign missions in Tirana. Those present were introduced to the Press Center’s facilities and objectives, and to the equipment of the PTs, which is being made available to journalists for the period of the March 31 elections. As has also been announced (Continued on page 4)

The PPSH is convinced that the election campaign for deputies to the People’s Assembly will serve to raise the patriotic spirit of the people. More than ever, Party members are expected to make a maximum contribution, work effectively and adopt a militant attitude in carrying out their duties. FROM THE PPSH PROGRAM FOR THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN AND THE ENTIRE NEXT LEGISLATURE

- KUKËS - At meetings between PPSH candidates for the People’s Assembly and voters, the common refrain in all the discussions in the Kukës district is: our votes are for the Party of Labour, because it has always been close to us in our homes, in times of joy and sorrow. Its electoral program, too, now offers the whole people effective solutions to current difficulties and the rapid revival of the economy. Voters are optimistic that, by implementing the Party of Labour’s electoral program, through work and work alone, Albania will progress rapidly. Attending a meeting between PPSH candidate Namik Dokle, editor-in-chief of «Zëri i Popullit», and residents of the villages of Orçikël, Pakisht and Zapod, one learns that many opportunities have opened up for this area to move forward, despite its very rugged, mountainous terrain. In their remarks, voters Neriman Abdyl and Baki Hasani stressed that their whole village is connected to the Party of Labour, because in its program they see prospects for strengthening people’s power and improving our well-being. Meanwhile, 75-year-old Misin Mata said: “We, the older generation, who have lived through both periods and know well what life was like before, ask all our young people not to forget that democracy comes only by returning to work.” This is the dialogue of the peo-

The Sarandë District Committee of the Party of Labour organized a rally at the “Nazik Hadëri” cultural center in the city of Delvinë to elaborate on the ALP’s electoral program. The ALP representative, its Central Committee secretary, Prof. Dr. Abdyl Backa, elaborated on the program, highlighting its realistic character. He pointed out the new factors at work in the country’s economic and social life, the lessons the ALP had drawn from recent developments, and the objectives it had set for itself in line with the current situation: stabilizing and reforming the economy and reaching the stages of contemporary development within a relatively short time. Taking a realistic view of the difficult state of the economy, while judging it to be temporary and transitory, he set out the need to move through two phases: stabilization, followed by renewal reforms and a gradual transition to a market economy combined with an active role for the state. Closely related to this, he also discussed obtaining various loans to support the food program, renew technologies, and develop tourism, which was described as “exports within the country.” There was extensive discussion of a pluralist system of ownership with equal status, without diminishing the dominance of state ownership; improving the banking system; and prices and wages, with the aim of gradually making them comparable to those in the rest of the world, so that our currency too could become convertible. In conclusion, Abdyl Backa said that the ALP program promises and opens up clear and concrete prospects for economic and social progress, prosperity, and social peace. (According to ATSH) …the current situation and the rapid revival of the economy. The person responsible for the PPSH, its Central Committee secretary, Prof. Dr. Abdyl Backa, explained the program, highlighting its realistic character and pointing and social life, the lessons the PPSH set itself in keeping the economy, while judging it to be temporary and transitional, he put forward the need to proceed in two phases: stabilization, followed by reforms to renew the economy an active role for the state. Closely connected with this, he also discussed taking out of improving the banking system; and of comparable with those in the rest of the world, and making our currency convertible as well. In conclusion, Abdyl Backa said that the PPSH program offered and opened up clear, concrete prospects for economic and social progress, well-being, and social peace. (According to ATSH)